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The Story of the Battle of Fredericktown
The Battle of Fredericktown was one of the lesser-reported battles. Although no more than 6000 men were involved , its outcome was of considerable strategic importance. A Confederate victory would have given them direct access to the only railroad in Southeast Missouri. With this, they could strike towards St. Louis, threatening the Union force’s central headquarters.
Thompson devised a plan that might give the Confederacy a major victory in Missouri. First, he wanted to occupy Fredericktown. Second, he wanted to destroy all of the bridges the Union forces might use to pursue his army. Finally, he planed to capture the train that linked Fredericktown to St. Louis. However when he obtained messages form a union courier, he discovered he was greatly outnumbered by the Union forces.
Knowing he had been discovered in the Fredericktown area, he realized his plan could not succeed. He had already obtained large quantities of lead and decided to retreat to Greenville. Union Commander Plumber wanted to pursue and engage Thompson. Around noon on the 21st of October1861, Plumber began to move south after them. Thompson would have to engage.
Thompson wanted his Col. Lowe to make initial contact when Union forces began to overwhelm them, Lowe was to make an orderly retreat, drawing Plumber’s forces into an ambush. However, Lowe did not retreat, and told his men to prepare to meet the enemy again. When the Union guns opened fire, Confederate guns did not have the range or accuracy of Union artillery.
It was during the fourth assault by Union forces that Lowe was shot and killed. With the death of their charismatic leader, the troops began to retreat. Thompson, seeing the retreat, ordered his rear battalions to prepare an ambush. Plumber fell straight into Thompson’s trap, ordering his cavalry to pursue the fleeing enemy. Four Union cavalry officers were killed in the ambush.
Thompson devised a plan that might give the Confederacy a major victory in Missouri. First, he wanted to occupy Fredericktown. Second, he wanted to destroy all of the bridges the Union forces might use to pursue his army. Finally, he planed to capture the train that linked Fredericktown to St. Louis. However when he obtained messages form a union courier, he discovered he was greatly outnumbered by the Union forces.
Knowing he had been discovered in the Fredericktown area, he realized his plan could not succeed. He had already obtained large quantities of lead and decided to retreat to Greenville. Union Commander Plumber wanted to pursue and engage Thompson. Around noon on the 21st of October1861, Plumber began to move south after them. Thompson would have to engage.
Thompson wanted his Col. Lowe to make initial contact when Union forces began to overwhelm them, Lowe was to make an orderly retreat, drawing Plumber’s forces into an ambush. However, Lowe did not retreat, and told his men to prepare to meet the enemy again. When the Union guns opened fire, Confederate guns did not have the range or accuracy of Union artillery.
It was during the fourth assault by Union forces that Lowe was shot and killed. With the death of their charismatic leader, the troops began to retreat. Thompson, seeing the retreat, ordered his rear battalions to prepare an ambush. Plumber fell straight into Thompson’s trap, ordering his cavalry to pursue the fleeing enemy. Four Union cavalry officers were killed in the ambush.